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Auckland lawyer Christian Nathanial Whata has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Mr Whata graduated with a BA and LLB (Hons) from Auckland University in 1992. After spending time as a solicitor at Simpson Grierson and Kensington Swan, he went to Cambridge University where he obtained an LLM (First Class).

Christchurch barrister John Gordon Matthews has been appointed an Associate Judge of the High Court, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Mr Matthews graduated with an LLB (Hons) from the University of Canterbury in 1972. He practised as a solicitor at Lane Neave in Christchurch, where he was a partner from 1975 to 1987, when he joined the independent bar.

Havelock North lawyer Dugald Guy Matheson has been appointed a District Court Judge, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Mr Matheson is a partner at Gifford Devine in Hastings, where he has worked since 1980. His early experience was in all facets of litigation at Tribunal, District Court and High Court level, before specialising in Family Court work in 1990. He is a senior lawyer for child.

Justice John Richard Wild has been appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal, Attorney General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

After graduating from Victoria University in 1968, he was employed first as a law clerk and then as a solicitor at Bell Gully & Co. In 1976 he went into practice as a barrister in Wellington and in 1993 he was appointed Queen’s Counsel.

The governance structure of the Waitangi National Trust Board will be modernised to reflect the cultural and historical importance of the Treaty grounds at Waitangi, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson and Waitangi National Trust Board Chair Pita Paraone announced today.

The Board was set up in 1932 by Lord and Lady Bledisloe, when they gifted to the people of New Zealand the 506 hectare Waitangi estate which includes the Treaty grounds. Lord Bledisloe was Governor-General at the time.

Sarn Herdson has been appointed as an additional coroner for the Auckland region, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Ms Herdson will commence duties as a full-time coroner with effect from 7 February 2011

“Ms Herdson is a highly experienced former corner and I am very pleased that she has rejoined the team of dedicated individuals who serve in this important office,” Mr Finlayson said.

Anne Leijnen has been appointed as an Environment Commissioner and Carron Blom has been appointed as a Deputy Environment Commissioner, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

Ms Leijnen is a resource management consultant and has been a sole practitioner since 1992. She has been involved in facilities planning for the America’s Cup, iwi consultation and relationship management, and developments including the Auckland Vector Arena and CBD design.